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Lurk No More

When I began this blog on a hot August night three years ago, I rather hoped people would take the time to read my pithy musings. But, I had no idea how many other wonderful people I'd come into contact with through the blog world.

Almost no one left me comments during the first two years of this blogs' existence. And then, suddenly, folks started leaving me their two cents. Often my heart is touched by the comments folks share. I also frequently laugh till tears roll down my cheeks. Due to the side splitting, thought-provoking and sometimes enigmatic comments readers have left me, I've realized, at it's best, blogging is a two way street, a dialogue between the author and those that choose to read the blog.

But, sometimes, I wonder, who are all the people who read my blog but don't engage in this dialogue? Well, officially, those people are called "lurkers".

Yes, "lurkers". Eww. That seems like such an overly sinister term, don't you think?

Doesn't referring to yourself as a lurker just leave an odd taste in your mouth? Just imagine having to eternally introduce yourself as, "Hi, I'm (insert your name) and I'm a lurker."So, if that term "lurker" is hanging over your head like a thundercloud, go ahead, let today be the day you break free from the lurking chains that bind you! I promise, I won't bite. And, just think, since you're only saying hi to me online, I can't even force you to listen to Depeche Mode.

This is a seriously low-risk proposition. I'll even walk you through it, step by step.

1) Getting started: At the bottom of this post is a little link that says "Add Your Two Cents". Move the mouse cursor over that and then click it.

2) Type a comment. You don't have to be Oscar Wilde witty or anything like that. Just tell me hi and who you are, how long you've been reading this blog, how you found it...you know, that kind of first date, get to know you kind of stuff. If you're really dying to tell me other stuff about yourself or what you think about this blog, feel free. What do you wish I wrote about? What's your favorite post? Let loose! (And all you regulars can feel free to tell me this stuff too, if you're so inclined.)

3) Who are you? Decide if you're posting as anonymous or as yourself. Come on, don't be anonymous. At least put your name at the bottom of your post.

4) Click submit.

I'm really looking forward to hearing from y'all on this special "Lurk No More" day. Thank you for taking the risk and becoming a part of the dialogue.

This was good, Liz. And your comments on lurkers were apt. The ones that irritate me are the individuals who are registered with blogger and leave a comment on mine (sometimes critical ones), but don't post a blog of their own. Have the courage of your convictions, my dears.

Okay - I'm coming out of the lurking closet! I found you via "Our Kind of Parenting" - I've probably been reading for six months or so and I just can't resist the combination of the way you write about L.A., and your strange and unabashed love of Depeche Mode. I think my favorite post might have been when you went to their fan meeting after working like, an eighty hour week - you looked so happy in your tee shirt!

i can't remember how i found your blog. one of 2 ways i'm sure. either i liked your comment on another blog i read or i was bored at work and just clicking on people's blog rolls. i guess i've been reading a few months now. the frequency of your posts quickly moved you up to the top 5. whooooooooo! honor spot!! lol

Hey LA woman,(hehe). I think I posted a comment before, letting you know I added you to my blogroll. I am guilty of reading your blog more often than I comment, though. My apologies!I do desperately love to read, and it makes me smile internally, thinking how much I miss (and DON'T miss) living in Los Angeles.

I may post on my experiences as a Southern Californian, Orange County and No Ho, mostly.

I found you via anti-racist parent, where I am also a columnist. I have 4 multiracial kids (all under the age of 6), 2 through open domestic adoption and 2 through homebirth. Our family includes Native American, African American, and European American heritage. I am a mother, partner, writer, artist, activist, and speaker. I like to read about your family and about your views on race.

Hi,I'm a brand new blogger and your blog is one of a few that inspired me to stop thinking about it and do it! So thanks for your blog, I love it. If you have a free moment please visit my blog Mes Deaux Cents (My Two Cents) I actually wrote a post talking about your blog and several others. mesdeauxcents.blogspot.com

I can't remember where I found your blog. But one of the other Baha'is blogroll. Anyway I really enjoy reading your stuff. You're such a talented writer. Sometimes I cry as I read something and sometimes I laugh outloud.

I loved the one where you wrote about going to the gym. I was cracking up.

Hey Liz. I'm Joy, Janie's friend. I think I found you through Our Kind of Parenting. I'm in L.A. and I've been trying to figure out exactly what you do and who you do it for. I'm in education in the Watts area and you write about people and places I know well.... :)

I found you through my sister Kari's blog and now I'm a frequent lurker. You've written so many insightful, funny, challenging things, how could I possibly pick a favorite? Let me just say thanks for everything you do. And that includes inspiring me to download some Depeche Mode from iTunes and reconnect with one of my favorite bands from high school!

Hi awesome folks who said hello! I just want to thank you for taking the risk of throwing off the cloak of anonymity and introducing yourself. Less than 10% of the folks who read my blog over the past 24 hours did so...who knew saying hi was so scary? Anyway, it's much appreciated! Hope you have a lovely day.

Hammer,I'm so happy so many folks have introduced themselves. It's nice to get to know who comes over here to visit a bit more!

Gerald,Welcome! I'm glad you went out on a limb and said hi. Thanks for saying hello. Do put your two cents in more frequently! I'd love to have your perspective.

Janie,I am really enjoying your blog as well. I'm so glad we got connected through Joy. I'm still thinking about the hair thing that I commented on. I have a post on that brewing.

Gyamfua,Glad to be of service in pursuit of more interesting days! And Gonzales...that was quite a surprise! What's going on in that White House?

Ian,I don't mind folks who come by and comment all the time and don't have blogs, but I also sort of don't understand the phenomenon of registering with blogger and then not starting one. I suppose they just haven't gotten around to it. . It's fun to comment on other folks' blogs, but it's fun to write my own thoughts too, you know? To each his own though, I guess.

Maia,Ok, you absolutely get the "Lurk No More" award of the year! I'm so glad you introduced yourself. Six months?? I had no idea! :) And yes, that Depeche Mode thing...glad it's endearing to someone, LOL! I'd actually worked 101 hours that week I went to the convention. It was definitely happiness you saw there, and probably a bit of delirium as well! Anyway, thanks for introducing yourself and please share more.

Jameil,So it was clearly serendipity for you to find my blog! And I'm in your top 5? I'm going to tell that to all my haters out there! LOL!

Piscesmama,Yes, I replied to your comment from the other day and I'm honored you want to add me to your blogroll. Thanks for coming to visit me again. I know that one of these days when I leave LA, I'll probably reminisce via bloggers as well. Although, I don't know if I'll reminisce about traffic on the 101 too much!

Natasha,I just clicked over to check them out and I your blog and your site are just great. I am loving this no more lurking thing more and more! And I'm working on something for ARP right now. Looking forward to connecting with you more.

Mes Deaux CentsThanks for introducing yourself. Now I can add "inspired others to blog" to my epitaph! :) I will definitely come by and check out your new home on the web!

Mouzhan,I'm glad you come over to visit me! Yes, that post on the gym...that one makes me laugh as well. I went over to that Bally's the other day. Same ole same ole. Don't worry, I'm gonna keep writing!

Joy,Hey Joy! I'm so glad you said hi! I used to teach in Compton and I until very recently, I worked for Teach For America. I supported teachers that were primarily in the Watts area. I used to spend all my days down there with the kids and I miss it. What do you do? Whatever it is, keep doing it. I'm sure it's worthwhile and amazing.

Rebecca,Wow, welcome! I'm so glad you came over through Kari's blog, which I absolutely love by the way. That's so nice of you to say thank you. I'm especially glad to see you reconnecting with the Depeche Mode. They're supposedly going to start recording their new album soon. I can't wait!

Christie D.,It's so neat to see how many folks come over here via ARP. Welcome! Are your boys obsessed with Power Rangers too? LOL! Thanks for saying hi and hope you come weigh in on some of the topics over here as well.

I found you through Anti-Racist Parent and have been reading you for a couple of months. I am also in LA and love to read your observations about the city, parenting, and racial issues. I would like to comment more often but you see? I read this post yesterday but didn't have time to comment until today. This is how my life is these days!

This has nothing to do with this particular post except, that's Depeche Mode, right? I saw a guy at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday night with a Depeche Mode tee shirt on and I almost hugged him and yelled "LIZ!"

Lisa,I'm so glad you stopped by again and introduced yourself. Welcome to a fellow Angeleno! I totally get how busy things can get...I meant to respond to comments again yesterday or write another post today and it just didn't happen! In any case, I came by your blog and I could totally relate to your experiences with your daughter. :)

Sundry,Oh that is funny! Yes, that's Depeche Mode...you know I had to work a mention of them in somehow! Ha!

Robyn,Welcome to you and glad you said hello! I've heard that some businesses are starting to block Blogger because they say employees are spending too much time reading blogs. I sure hope that doesn't happen to you at your job. Reading blogs for a few minutes is a much needed mental break from the hustle and bustle. Glad to be a bit of a diversion for you! ;0

Classicrose,Welcome to you as well and glad you're enjoying reading. Violater is a fantastic cd. It's definitely one of my favorites, and tends to be the DM record all others are compared to. You have good taste!

Noel,Yeah, all of us bloggers are going to be in some sociology of narcissism class twenty years from now.

Suzanne,Wow, Germany? I wish I could give you a prize for commenter from furthest away. :0 You'd definitely win. Thanks for delurking and saying hi. I love 1969's blog as well. She's a quite a talented storyteller.

what a great way to see who's out there, Liz. the number of people who tell me they read my blog versus the number of people who comment... not so satisfying. it's sort of like being the only one nurturing a relationsship. so, i completely get your desire to have everyone be counted.

Kate,I think I lucked out and found you on one of those "next blog" clicks. :) Gosh, maybe I do have good luck sometimes!

Patsgirl,Gosh, isn't unlurking/delurking...whatever we want to call it, a bit scary? Why is that? Regardless, I'm glad you took the plunge and said hi. And, thanks for the compliment on my family. I miss them...they're still in LA and I'm away.

Kari,I know...sometimes I feel like that awkward girl that always liked some guy who wasn't that into me. And everybody didn't come out of hiding yet! It's ok though, one of these days folks will say hi.

1969,Thanks! You inspired me to encourage the lurkers to come out of the closet. And trust me, the admiration is mutual.

Heart,It's been great seeing people say hi. I love it! It's so funny because I got a site meter last year around this time because I was convinced that no one was reading my blog at all and I wanted to see if anybody at all was coming by at all. Turned out that people were visiting but they weren't leaving comments, which really interests me. I'm sure someone somewhere has done some psycholocial/sociological studies on this, or will in the future.

How funny that I read your blog today, particularly this post (albeit several days after the original posting). I can't even remember how I came across your delightful blog. I've been an avid "lurker" to the blog-world (only those I read regularly do I comment upon) for almost two years. Yesterday I decided that it wasn't fair for me to keep reading about others and never put any of myself onto the world wide web and I've finally talked myself into starting my own blog.But your writing, thus far in my reading, is fun and full of personality. And anybody who loves Depeche Mode can't be bad.Best wishes to you.-Alex